Demonstration against cuts! Part of the European TUC Day Of Action September 29 2010

On October 20 2010 a disaster will hit this country and our city as the ConDem coalition announces its "grant settlement" for the public, voluntary and private sectors.

In Brighton and Hove the council budget will be cut by £15 million each year for three years - on top of cuts to the NHS, universities, police, colleges and much more.

The knock-on effect on the local economy, shops, employment, building industry, etc, will be devastating as literally thousands of jobs are lost. Many of your services will be destroyed or severely reduced. Ordinary working people will lose their jobs and homes as the government demonises benefit claimants and cuts benefits.

BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!

The richest 10 per cent of people in this country are worth £4,000 billion. A one-off 10 per cent tax on their wealth would pay off the national deficit many times over and the richest would hardly even notice!

If, as David Cameron and George Osborne constantly say "we are all in this together", then the rich should pay more, after all it was the bankers and speculators who caused the crisis that we are now expected to pay for.

THIS IS THE TIME TO FIGHT!

All of us are users of public services - the NHS, fire brigade, schools, day centres, libraries, waste collection and much more. All of these are under threat - nothing is safe.

"We will protect front-line services" (David Cameron/Nick Clegg). UNTRUE! The Connexions service in this city is under threat of closure as we speak.

We are fighting for these services, for jobs, for the elderly, the young, disabled, vulnerable and the very basic standard of living that we have. These are your services. Like us, you are Council/Income Tax payers; you and us want the best for our money.

Join our campaign. Tell your MP/councillors/media, that you reject these cuts, that you value your services, and that you did not vote for the destruction of the public sector.

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.